Poland excludes words "man" and "woman" from marriage documents

A gay pride in Warsaw. Photo: Wojtek Radwanski/AFP

On January 19, 2026, the government of Poland approved changes to civil status document templates, removing the words "man" and "woman" from marriage documents. The decision was made by the Cabinet of Ministers headed by Donald Tusk. This is reported by European Conservative.

As noted, the changes followed a November ruling by the European Union Court, according to which Poland must recognize same-sex marriages concluded abroad, despite the fact that national legislation still prohibits such unions within the country.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Technologies Krzysztof Gawkowski stated that he signed documents launching the process of changing the forms. "We wanted the state to function effectively and equally towards all citizens. It is a matter of dignity, but also of the life stability of families that already exist," he said, actually acknowledging the voluntary nature of the step.

The decision provoked sharp criticism from lawyers and the opposition. Constitutional Tribunal judge and political figure Krystyna Pawłowicz responded over the weekend that “Poland DOES NOT have such an obligation,” urging the deputy PM to “please familiarise yourself and act in accordance with the Polish Constitution.” According to her, family law remains the exclusive competence of the national state.

Former Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak also rejected the interpretation of the EU court's decision as unconditionally binding, calling it "an abuse". He emphasized, "The Court has no competence to interfere with the constitutionally defined model of marriage in the member states. The Union has not been granted competences in the area of family law under the Treaties, and family policy as well as the status of marriage remain within the domain of the nation states." 

Reports say the words “woman” and “man” will be replaced with “first spouse” (“pierwszy małżonek”) and “second spouse” (“drugi małżonek”). Krzysztof Bosak, Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the Sejm, described this as “an attempt to introduce the effects of homosexual ‘marriages’ through the back door.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the ROC in Poland introduced a ban on secular music during church weddings.

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